It's Valentine's Day...

This is it everyone, the big V-day. What've y'all have instored for your love ones?? Chocolates? Candy? Roses? Maybe a romantic candlelight dinner for 2 at a posh restaurant if you have the dough? I guess I had my own fair share of ways to celebrate today, although I cant remember what i did with my ex last yr though...(If you saw this, I'm really really sorry....) But I do remember I've pulled some neat tricks outta my sleeves back in the days and if you boys and girls stil havent decide what to do later in the afternoon, maybe you could try this. Have a BBQ picnic in the park, and you don't even have to book a pit. And of course I'll teach you wad to make for dinner.

Having a BBQ for 2 at the park is actually quite cost effective compared to dinner at a restaurant. It's not very tdious where you have to make some crazy marinate and let it sit for like overnight or make some classy condiment to go with the main item. Its very easy when you realise whatever you need is just within your fingertips. Oh and did i tell you them you can even do a 3-course dinner for 2 as well if you wanted to? All you need is some imagination...

Before I get to the dish which is like bloody easy yeah? We look at what we have for inventory first. You will need:

1 styrofoam box( it's your picnic basket and cooler box for beverages.

1 instant bbq grill( those that already have charcoal in it so you don't need to get a whole bag.)

2 medium tongs(1 for the food and charcoal for the other.)

Disposal cutlery and plates for 2(cups as well)

1 bag of ice( get that when you reach your destination

1 large trash bag

1 butter brush

1 disposable table cloth.

Note that all your inventory are disposable items, which mean at the end of dinner, you 2 love birds can then take a long quiet stroll without lugging all your stuff around.=)

Now the food... we'll just concentrate on just doing one dish ok? So you won't start to panic.

Cajun Sirloin with Asparagus & Portobello Mushroom served with Sliced Baguette

Back then I made my own cajun spice rub but i think it's too tedious to make them fresh at this point of time, had a batch already in my kitchen cabinet so it saved me loads of time. But don't worry those bought off the shelves are just as good and they don't really cost much. I teach y'all how to make my Cajun spice rub in my next post along with other stuff that will be essential for cooking.

2x180 Sirloin(you can get the people at the deli to trim it for you..)

120gm Baby Asparagus

1 pkt Portobello mushroom

1 btl Cajun Spice( Some call it "Creol Spice" I think

1 Lemon

2 tbsp Olive oil

125gm Butter(It's like half a stick, sounds alot but you don't have to use 'em all.)

Salt & crushed black pepper

1 Baguette(Sliced)

1 clove Garlic

Lay your steaks in a plate, sprinkle salt and pepper and cajun spice on both sides evenly. Using your fingers, rub all that goodness into the meat. By doind so, you're forcing the flavour into the meat and because the rub is abrasive, it will break down the connective tissues in the meat making it tender so you don't have to pound it with a meat hammer into a ugly mess. Once that is done, throw them into a zip-lock bag and dump them in the fridge. It's very easy to prepare the asparagus, after you've washed it, break off like an inch of the end because it can be very stringy and bitter. dump them all in a rectangular tupperware, add salt, pepper and squeeze half a lemon juice and sprinkle the olive oil. After that just cover the lid and shake it. Yep it's that simple, after that just dump it in the fridge. The mushroom? Nothing. Do nothing to it, eat it in it's own natural juices. Just slop some butter on top of it when it's on the grill. As for the baguette, just wrap them up in aluminium foil.

OK so everything is done, you're ready to go. Pack all your stuff, meet your sweetheart or get him or her to meet you there so you can give them a surprise. Grab beverages and ice on your way there and once you're at your picnic ground, set up everything, you can start cooking at this point or wait and cook together with you loved one. The only tough cookie are the steaks. Firstly cook the fat-side first. Next is browning the sides, remember ONLY FLIP THE STEAKS ONCE. Flipping it too many times will not allow the meat to cok evenly so let it sit one the grill for a few minutes and then flip. Next is the doneness, once you've flipped the steak you'll only need to concentrate on the doneness. There's a little trick to it, just take your thumb andlet it touch the rest of your fingers, touch will do, no pressing. And when you touch one finger, use your other hand to feel the mold of flesh that is under the "touching" thumb, as you touch each finger you'll feel the flesh getting tighter and tighter.Index=medium rare, middle=medium,fourth=medium well, pinky=well done. I'll post some pictures so you'll get the picture. When the steak is done, just spoon a small knob of butter on top and it will become your sauce.

For the asparagus, just drop them on the grill until just toss them around until you get some charr marks. For the mushrooms, slap them on the grill, brush some butter on the camp and on the underside of the cap. ypu can tell its done when it turns darker and a bit tender. As for the bread, rub the surface of the bread t=with the garlic just once, you might think it's not enough but trust me, a little goes a long way. besides it V-day, you don't want to smell of garlic later in the night do ya? Toast the bread on the grill and spread some butter before serving.

Points to note....

So let's say you can't find any portobellos, buttons and cremini can do as well as they are all in the same family among the many different types of mushrooms. If you're worried about wad drinks to get wine wise, i suggest if you're new to wine, go for a Aussie merlot. It's mild, fruity, goes pretty well with all those strong meaty flavours. Very suitable for people who are new to wine.